Universal pipe joint



May 15, 1928. 1,669,949

J. S. REYNOLDS UNIVERSAL PIPE JOINT 7 Filed April 3 1925- 9 g INVENTOR.

BY 4 (ZITTORNEY.

Planted May 15,1928. 1 9 1,669,949 UNITED STATES} PATENTOFFICE.

JOY S. REYNOLDS, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN..

UNIVERSAL me JOINT.

Applicatirm filed April 30, 1925. Serial No. 26,868.

This invention relates to universal pipe the, ball 7. The aperture in the packing joints, and the purpose of the invention is member 9 is materially less in diameter to secure a fitting for connecting sections than that of the ball and preferably slightly of solid pipe capable of limited movement greater in diameter than the central aperture 60 without undue strain on the pipe and in through the member 6. The retainer 10 is which leakage prevented. preferably providedwith a series of recesses A feature of the invention is in the provi- 11 in the outer face permitting the use of sion of a universal pipe joint carrying a spanner wrench forthreading the same, liquids under pressure so constructed that into the threaded bore 8. Tohold the tubu- W the pressure of the liquid tends to prevent lar member 6 in position I have, provided leakage. The fitting is adaptable for use an externally threaded retainer 12. This with solid pipe for transferring liquids unretainer 12, which I will hereinafter term der pressure and"therefore is particularly the ball retainer, has a cone shaped opening adaptable for use in the pipe for hydraulic 13 in the forward face and is counter'bored braking systems of automotive vehicles in in the opposite side providing a recess 14; which the fluid is to be transmitted to brakes in which is positioned a soft metal filler on the steering wheels which is adaptedto 15 providing a seat for the ball portion 7 be turned to various positions and is also of the member 6. The size of the aperture adapted for use; in other positions between at the bottom' of the cone portion and of the body of the pipe carried on the chassis the recess 14L is but slightly greater in diam and the pipe sections leading to abrake eleeter than that of the member 6 adjacent the ment to compensate for movement of the ball. The ball retainer 12 is threaded into chassis relative to wheel and axle. Bvuse of the recess and engages the packing retainer a joint of the character herein described the 10 and acts as a lock nut to prevent release usual flexible armored tubing may be disof the retainer 10 and also holds the ball pensed with and solid tubing provided with from -movement to the left of the position joints at different points may be utilized. shown in Fig. 1. This ball retainer 12 has The several objects and novel features of the cross slots 16 in the outer end for introinvention are hereinafter more fully deduction of an instrument to turn the same 65' scribed and claimed, and the preferred form into or out of the block 1 and the tapered of construction of a pipe fitting embodying form of the opening 13 permits the member my invention is shown in the accompanying 6 and pipe line 8 to swing relative to the drawings in which block to a limited extent and in any direc- Fig. -1 is a central longitudinal section tion. The metal seat 15 for the ball 7 is of my improved pipe fitting. 1 of metal softer than the ball causing the Fig. 2 is an elevation thereof taken from wearto be taken by the seat. This ball at the left side of Fig. 1. y the forward end engages the packing 9 cup In its preferred form the de-viceconsists ping the same as shown. This packing is of a block or base 1 having a central recess preferably made of leather but may be of or socket 2 opening through one side thereof. any suitable flexible material and, to hold. and provided with a threaded counterbore thepacking member in engagementwith 23 forming an annular shoulder l intermedithe ball at the forward end, I provide the ate the face and bottom of the recess. This cupped metalwasher 17 which has a central block or base between the annular shoulder aperture 18 and is held in engagement with WU and the bottom of the recess has a threaded the packing member at the aperture therein aperture 5 for the attachment of a pipe by a spring 19. The cupped face of the Y L thereto. In this recess is a tubular member washerl'Z under the action of the spring 6 having a ball portion? at the inner end tends .to force the flexible packing member and the outer end of which is threaded to 9 to close contact with the ball end so that receive a pipe 8. This ball portion 7 at the leakage around the ball is prevented. The inner end engages a centrally apertured and aperture 18 in the cupped washer 17 permits cupped leather packing member 9, the pefluid to pass from the tubular member ,6 ripheral edge of which rests on the annular into the recess 2 and thence to the member 5 shoulder 4 and is secured thereon by the. or in the reverse direction. The spring 11.0 55 threaded retainer 10 which has a central pressed washer- 17 insures a non-leakable aperture slightly greater in diameter than joint and when used with fluid under pres,

sure. the pressure also tends to hold the packing member or washer 9 in contact with the ball.

A feature of this invention and one of the objects thereof is to provide a fitting containing a packing and permitting removal of the ball member without disturbing the packing member. This is accomplished by use of the packing retainer 10 separate from the ball retainer 12, the retainer lOhaving a central oliening greater in diameter than the ball so that by removal of the retainer 12. the ball 7 and tube 6 may be taken from the recess and the packing member remain therein in position to be again engaged by theball upon its reintroduction.

The block 1 intended to be stationarily mounted and for this purpose may be provided with apertured'ea-rs on opposite sides thereof to secure the same in position. The form of this block or base, however, is unimportant and it is also unimportant as to whether or not the same be stationarily mounted inasmuch as the piping connected with the aperture 5 will support theblock. The position of the threaded aperture 5 for the pipe line also is not material, itbeing possible to place the same in any desired or adaptable relationship or anglewith the central bore :2.

From the foregoing description it is evident that the improved fitting is simple in form and comparatively inexpensive in construction; is readily assembled or disassembled without disturbing the packing member by means of which leakage is prevented and by provision otthe cupped washer, a means is incorporated to maintain the washer in a packing relation with the ball irrespective as to whether the fluid in the pipe line is under pressure or otherwise.

Having thus briefly described my invention, what I claim isl. A universal pipe joint comprising a block having a recess provided with an annular shoulder intern'iediate its length and being threaded from the surface to adjacent the shoulder. a tubular member extending thereinto and having ball like portion at the inneixend within .the recess, a leather packing member of disk like form having the periphery thereof engaging the shoulder, a retainer consisting of an externally threaded and centrally apertured nut for securing the periphery of the packing disk against the shoulder, a retainer for the tubular member consisting of a nut threaded in the recess and having on the inner face a soft metal seat: engaging the ball end, said nut having a tapered aperture through which the body of the tubular member extends, the said retainer holding the ball against the packing disk cupping the disk and causing the same. to engage thesurface' of the ball,

l a s iring pressed member engaging the surface of the packing disk at the central aperture, said recess having an aperture between the said shoulder and the bottom thereof for the attachment of a pipe.

2. A pipe joint for connecting one pipe to another to permit relative universal movement ther'ebetween comprising a centrally apertured ball with which one pipe is connected. a recessed socket member having an aperture at an angle to the recess with which another pipe may be connected, the. ball portion of the ,ball member being positioned in the recess of the socket, the said recess having a eounterbored threaded portion providing a shoulder. a centrally aperture-d washer like packing member having the pe riphery thereof lying over the shoulder, a threaded ring having a central aperture greater in diameter than the diameter of the hall for retaining the packing against the said shoulder, a centrally apertured nut threaded for engagement with the threaded portion of the socket and formed with an aperture permitting the pipe to be inserted therethrough and shaped toprovide a seat for the ball end, the nut being adjustable to vary the position of the ball end relative to the packing disk, a cupped washer having a central aperture greater in diameter than the diameter of the said ball and engaging over the periphery of the cupped packing member to hold the packing in engagement with the ball surface, and a spring for torcing the washer into engagement with the packing.

3. A universal pipe joint for connecting one pipe to another to permit relative universal movement therebetween comprising a centrally apertured ball with which one pipe is connected, a recessed socket member having an aperture with which another pipe may be connected. a retainer forholding the ball portion in the recess and having a central aperture through which the pipe extends and a. seat for the ball end adjacent the point of connection with the pipe. the retainer being adjustable in the recess to ary the position of the ball. a flexible packing member having a central aperture, the recess having a shoulder on which the periphery of the packing member rests, a ring member adjustable in the recess to engage the packing member and having a central aperture greater in diameter than the ball, the construction permitting removal of the ball end and retaining nut without removal of the packing member, and means 'for holding the packing member in contact with the ball surface.

In testimony whereof, I sign this specification.

JOY S. REYNOLDS. 

